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ZENOS: A Major Prophet Lost to the World
By Rae Simmons
Volume 19, Number 3 Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec 2018, Issue No. 76
Zenos appears to have been a prophet of major proportions, judging from the scope of his teachings. We are first introduced to the prophet Zenos in 1 Nephi 5:242–257 when Nephi quotes extensively from Zenos’ prophecies. Nephi tells us his words concerning the conditions at the time of Christ’s death. Here we have some information from Zenos that is unique:
“And because of the groanings of the earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of God to exclaim, The God of nature suffers” (1 Nephi 5:250).
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TIME AND ETERNITY
By Hight Priest Wayne A. Bartrow
Volume 19, Number 3, Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec 2018 Issue No. 76
Alma 16:228–230 explains, “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God: yea, behold, the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many itnesses, therefore I beseech of you, that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; For after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness, wherein there can be no labor performed.”
Older folks may be familiar with an ancient mariner’s saying that is based on Matthew 16:2. It goes, “Red sky at night, sailors’ delight; Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.” Today, it is not really about the weather forecast as much as it is about the times in which we live. That is revealed in the next verse of text in Matthew 16:3, “ye can discern the face of the sky; but ye cannot tell the signs of the times.” The question I would like to consider is, “How much time do we have?” The signs of the times seem to indicate that time is short. Like the sand in an hourglass, time is running out to accomplish the task God has entrusted to us. Have we wasted too much time on other things, things that we’ve passed our time away doing? Time can never be recovered or put to better use, so if not now, when? Time waits for no one, and the time allotted to us is brief compared with eternity.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
By President Frederick N. Larsen
Volume 19, Number 3, Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec 2018 Issue No. 76
As we come to the close of the year for 2018, it is our pleasure to present this issue of The Hastening Times for your perusal. In addition to the four general articles by our members, it should be noted that reports from our quorums, orders, councils, and departments reflect Remnant Church ministry for the last quarter. Notes from the Center Place of Zion's congregations, the South Central District, and the outlying branches is indicative of our growth and forward movement to building the kingdom. One feature recently is the report from Bountiful, a
community in Zion.
Regarding our theme thoughts for next year (2019) we will consider the thought of "Moving Forward to Zion." There will also be monthly themes accompanying this general theme for focusing our worship and study.
The coming months of October, November, and December are ones that we look forward to following the busy summer activities of reunions and vacations—particularly Thanksgiving Day and the year-end holiday season.
Two thoughts come to mind:
One thought is that it is a time for reflecting on our blessings of every day and the gathering of families and friends for Thanksgiving Day. I am reminded of a favorite saying of mine—"Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done." Let us truly take time to reflect on the good things our Lord has done for us and be prepared to testify thereof. It is a time to be truly thankful—share an expression of gratitude for something received by, or done for one. As the words from the Doxology speak, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
The second thought has to do with the saying, "Jesus is the reason for the season." As trivial as that saying is, the Christmas season does focus our thoughts on the birth of the Prince of Peace. Let us forego the commercialization that surrounds this holiday and find the extra time to consider, not only the birth of the Savior of mankind, but also his atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection.
May the Peace and Joy of our Heavenly Father be with you now and always.
Amen.
Frederick N. Larsen,
For the First Presidency
